Game apparatus



NOV. 15, 1932. A, J, ND 1,887,900

GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 15, 1932. A. J. BRAND GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 42 Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT JOFIFICE ANDREW .1. BRAND, on NEW HYDE PARK, NEW Yonx GAME APPARATUS Application filed September 27, 1930. Serial No. 484,907. i

as a knowledge of angles and considerablestrength and dexterity in the wrist and arm. Apparatus embodying the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be hereinafter first fully described and then more particularly defined in the ap pended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of an apparatus embodying the present invention, I

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, and

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the mallet.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a table 1 which resembles an ordinary pool table in that it has cushions around its entire edge and has its top covered with billiard cloth. Instead of being rectangular as the ordinary pool table is generally formed, the ends of the table, as shown at 2, are semicircular, this formation increasing the difficult of judging caroms and also tending to develop a very acute sense of angles. Openings 3 are formed through the table top adj acent the rail at various points thereof, six of said openings being shown in the present drawings, two on each side and one at the a center of each end. These openings serve as outlets for the balls which are manipulated in the course of play, just as the ordinary pockets of pool tables constitute receptacles G to catch the balls. Extending at intervals around the entire outer rail of the table are hooks 4 upon which is suspended a net 5 which net extends under the entire table and constitutes a receptacle for the balls passing 45 through the openings 3, as will be understood.

As shown clearly in Fig. 2, the net increases 7 in depth toward one end andat. said end is provided with a pocket or outlet tube. 6 through which the balls may pass into a receptacle 7 placed below the net.

Disposed at the ends of the table are trestles or similar bridging supports 8 which use to a polnt above the top of the table andare preferably composed of tubular material to attain strength without excessive weight. These supports consist of upwardly converg- 111g legs and a cross bar 9 secured to and extending between the couplings 10 which join the upper ends of the legs. At a pointsubst'antially midway the table a similar support 11 is provided and this support is of the same construction as the end supports 8, except that the crossbar, shown at 12, is considerably longer than the cross bars 9 in order to accommodate the greater width of the.

table between its ends an d'permit the end 55 supports'to be disposed closer to the ends of the table. Carried by the several supports 1s a platformconsisting of two-parallel side cat walks 13 joined at their centers by a transverse cross walk 14 and at each end of 0 each 'c'at walk 13 is a stairway 15 whereby the players may ascend to or descend from the cat'walks in order to play the game or retire after finishing. Suitable rails 16 are provided along both sides of each walk and at the sides of-the stairs so as to protect the players against accidentally stumbling or dropping from the platforms and also to train them-.moreor less in the proper form for" leaning over to -make a play just as a polo player leans from his pony when attempting astroke. 7 I

The apparatus is completed by the provision of a series of counting balls, indicated 7 8r at 17, and a cue ball, indicated at 18, which 0 is to be struck by a mallet 19 in playing the game. The one ball is slightly larger than the counting balls and is spotted at one end of the table when play is beginning, as indi- 90,

cated in Figs. 1 and 2, while the counting balls are originally set in triangular formation, as shown clearly in Fig. l, at the opposite end of the table. The mallet comprises a handle, which is preferably of bambooso asto be somewhat resilient, and a head 20 secured to one end of the handle and tapered from its center towards both ends. Each end of the mallet is equipped with a I leather tip 21 whereby a blow may be deliv- 10 ered upon the cue ball Without liability to chip the ball or to break the mallet.

In playing the game, the players determine who shall have the first shot by' chance or by agreement and-then each player, in turn, endeavors to strike the cue ball with a mallet in such a manner that one or more of the counting balls will be driventhrough one of the openings 3 in the table just as the v 7 balls in the game of pool'are driven into the pockets. In attempting to make their shots,

the players will, of course, be put under the necessity'of moving about upon the cat walks and leaning over the same tov properly sight the mallet upon the cue ball and determine the angle of the cue ball to theball upon which play is to be made. It will also be necessaryfor them to lean over the rails 16' andfhandle their mallets in a manner closely resembling the handling of mallets in the game of polo so that the players will not only derive considerable pleasure from playing the game but will also aquire a keenness of vision and dexterity and strength in the wrist and arm which will be beneficial in many ways. 7

Having thus described the invention, I claim: 7 e' A game apparatus comprising a table having openi'ngs at intervals around its edge, counting balls for movement over the table and escape through said openings, a cue ball to be propelled overthe table and impart movement to, the counting balls, arched supports arranged adjacent the ends and at the center of the table,-the central support being 7 longer than the end supports whereby it may span the table, a platform carried by said supports above the table and including two parallel cat walks parallelwith the sides of the table and a central transverse connecting walk resting directly on the central arched support, and means to be manipulated by players upon the platform for impelling the cue ball. 7 V

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ANDREW J. BRAND. [L. 8.] 

